APHIS Establishes a Mexican Fruit Fly (Anastrepha ludens) Quarantine in the San Perlita Area of Willacy County, Texas

APHIS Establishes a Mexican Fruit Fly (Anastrepha ludens) Quarantine in the San Perlita Area of Willacy County, Texas To: State and Territory Agricultural Regulatory Officials Effective March 14, 2018, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) established a Mexican fruit fly (Anastrepha ludens or Mexfly) quarantine in a residential area of San Perlita, Willacy County, Texas. The quarantine area includes 1.5 acres of commercial citrus; therefore, APHIS is applying safeguarding measures and restrictions on the interstate movement or entry into foreign trade of regulated articles from this area. On March 14, APHIS confirmed one mated female adult Mexfly in the San Perlita area of Texas. In cooperation with Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), APHIS is responding to this confirmed detection with the establishment of a new quarantine area, which encompasses approximately 82 square miles of Willacy County. APHIS is working with TDA to respond to this detection following program survey and treatment protocols. This action is necessary to prevent the spread of Mexfly to non-infested areas of the United States. The establishment of this quarantine area is reflected on the following designated website, which contains a description of all the current federal fruit fly quarantine areas: Eddy County Extension Service and New Mexico State University is an equal opportunity employer and educator. Eddy County Government, New Mexico State University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating, Extending Knowledge Changing Lives.